Pollution across the south-east

Soaring levels of air pollution have triggered a health alert for the south-east, with the elderly and people with lung and heart condtions told to avoid strenuous physical activity.

The region's worst air pollution for many years has been caused by a combination of local emissions, light winds, pollution from the continent - and dust blown in from sandstorms in the Sahara Desert.

The red dust - which has covered thousands of cars across the region - is a potential health hazard for asthmatics and others sensitive to air pollution. Pollution levels remain high tonight but are expected to ease in most areas tomorrow.